What a Fractional Operations Director Does
A fractional operations director brings senior operational expertise to growing businesses. They typically focus on:
Process Optimization
- Map and improve workflows
- Eliminate waste and bottlenecks
- Standardize best practices
- Document procedures
Scaling Operations
- Build scalable systems
- Capacity planning
- Technology and automation
- Prepare for growth
Team & Structure
- Define org structure
- Hire operations talent
- Develop team capabilities
- Performance management
Performance
- KPI frameworks
- Dashboard and reporting
- Quality management
- Continuous improvement
When to Hire a Fractional Operations Director
Rapid Growth
Business is scaling quickly and operations are struggling to keep up with demand.
Efficiency Problems
Margins are being squeezed by operational inefficiencies and you need expert help to optimize.
Pre-Funding Preparation
You're preparing for investment and need to demonstrate operational maturity and scalability.
Process Chaos
Things are done ad-hoc without documented processes, causing quality and delivery issues.
M&A Integration
You've acquired a business and need to integrate operations effectively.
Fractional Operations Director Costs
Operations Director vs COO
Understanding the difference helps you choose the right level:
| Aspect | Operations Director | COO |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Specific operational areas | All company operations |
| Level | Senior management | C-suite executive |
| Focus | Process, efficiency, delivery | Strategy, scaling, leadership |
| Day Rate | £600-£1,100 | £800-£1,400 |
What to Look for in a Fractional Ops Director
Effective operations directors combine analytical rigor with practical execution. According to the Chartered Management Institute, look for:
- Industry experience: Operations knowledge relevant to your sector and business model
- Process expertise: Experience designing and implementing scalable processes
- Data-driven approach: Uses metrics to drive decisions and improvements
- Technology awareness: Understands how to leverage tech for operational efficiency
- Change management: Can lead transformation and bring teams along
Summary: A fractional operations director provides part-time (1-3 days/week) operational leadership at £600-£1,100/day—ideal for scaling businesses needing process optimization and efficiency improvement.